Baines: sell for £16m in January. Yes or No?

[Clint Planet]

I'm actually quite chilled about him going.



(Though I'd love him to stay)

 

[DualityNSNO]

I'm actually quite chilled about him going.



(Though I'd love him to stay)

Pretty much the same, as noted.

 

[Coach Mac]

Don't sell him and that's that!!!--if we seriously wish to get into Europe we need the best players, not a fat check. How could we replace him if he is considered the 2nd best L.B. in the country? Especially, when we all know he is #1!

 

[Khalekan]

I am honestly shocked at the result of the poll. It is only a few months since this would be viewed as heresy, but 40% in favour of a sell...wow

My only surprise is that it isn't a higher percentage.

Things have changed a lot since the summer.

I voted to "yes" for five reasons.

1. I am sick to death with story and with the departure of Baines hanging over our head at a time when the whole club seems to be enjoying a rennaissance.

Our club is on the up again and I think having the press tell us day and daily that Baines won't be able to resist a move to OT makes us look small time.

2. With one third of the season gone we can all see that the left back position is no longer the main avenue through where we route our attacks.

3. Baines's form has been patchy this season.....in particular his corner kicks have been dire and in the last two home games at leat one outswinger per game has been blown up fror actually going out of play on its way toward the goal.

4. An apparent lack of commitment from Baines. He could knock all this speculation on the head right now by saying he wishes to stay. And if he doesn't wish to stay then slap in a transfer request and set the wheels in motion.

5. I want to see what Roberto would do to impove the squad if he received the lion's share of any fee to invest in players.

The above is just my opinion and to be honest, I would just rather Baines turned round and told Moyes to do one and commit his future here.

But I think his head is turned now and if that is the case, then let's take the money.

 

[SteKelly]

Don't sell him and that's that!!!--if we seriously wish to get into Europe we need the best players, not a fat check. How could we replace him if he is considered the 2nd best L.B. in the country? Especially, when we all know he is #1!

hes going to leave on a free if we don't sell him mate. We need to cash in and move on

 

[SchoolOfScience]

I am honestly shocked at the result of the poll. It is only a few months since this would be viewed as heresy, but 40% in favour of a sell...wow

I was in the 100% keep him camp but now I couldn't care less if he goes, were not the same team that was so reliant on him anymore, we can replace a 29 yr old left back who isn't great defensively and has been stunted attacking wise due to our new system. Don't get me wrong he's a class act but he's not irreplaceable anymore.

Also unfortunately the way we operate means it's imperative to get a good deal on aging players and 16-18m for a 29yr old is fantastic business, I don't agree with the way we're run but thats the truth.

The bigger question in my eyes is who would replace him ?

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

1. Local
2. England International
3. Model Pro
4. Never puts the club in a bad light
5. Dead ball specialist
6. Corner taker
7. Penalty taker
8. Boss crosser
9. Never gives up
10. Because I said no

 

[Kay20]

39% said yes?!?!?!

WTF.

Answer is no.

 

[bluestevon]

39% said yes?!?!?!

WTF.

Answer is no.

Im suprised it isnt higher than that, my thinking is that if the player wants to go, and the silence surrounding the entire thing leads me to believe he does want to leave, then well id rather have 16m than a player who has his heart set of playing for another team.

My opinion would change in a heartbeat if he came out and stated he wants to stay though

 

[ijjysmith]

I wonder what impact, if any at all, the injury would play in a January move.

 

[bluestevon]

I wonder what impact, if any at all, the injury would play in a January move.

I doubt none mate, if we where the ones pushing the sale then i guess itd be used to drive the price down, but its a question of heres the price take it or leave it as far as utd coming back in for him i believe

 

[dholliday]

Tomorrow will give us an idea.

Did well without him again, good argument that our attack points are more varied when he's not playing (21 shots today, 4 goals).

Great quote from Martinez putting this debate to bed, and brilliant to see we have options when he's unavailable:

"In January, if we do anything, it will be to try and improve the squad, to give our players a better opportunity of a strong finish. Everything that is going to happen in January will be football related and, whatever it is, it will only be good for the squad.

"As a club we don't need to use the January window to try and balance the books. I can guarantee that is not the case. We are in a position, probably one of the strongest we have been in for many years, where we can make purely football decisions on any player.

"I am happy about the situation and, if I assess the season so far, we have probably got fewer points than our performances have deserved, so we will be trying to get a bigger average of points between now and the end of the season. With that aim we would never be trying to sell our players in this January window. The only thing we will do is try to make the club stronger."

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

What, you don't wanna' knee-jerk after one match and say we should sell the best left back in the country? What's wrong with you, man?

 

[Vaughan]

if we sold him and bought lukaku i'd reluctantly do it

 

[billycopper]

£20m for Baines to spend on Lukaku or Benteke? If he's keen to move and Oviedo can step in as a ready-made replacement it would seem foolish not to. Especially considering that Baines is close to 30 and Lukaku is 10 years younger.